Carly Phillips - Under the Boardwalk

“What do you say?” she asked softly, as if afraid she’d stepped over the line.

He separated them long enough to gaze into her eyes and stroke her cheek. “I say we go home.”

• • •

Nobody had ever told Ari that buying a sexy garment was one heck of a lot different than waltzing out of the bathroom wearing one. Especially when the guy she wanted to impress waited on the other side. And he was probably naked. Magnificently so, and not the least bit insecure about showing off his… assets. Which meant she shouldn’t be either.

Ariana might worry about what Quinn would think, but Ari wouldn’t. Not anymore than Quinn would be disappointed. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed aside any insecurities and reminded herself he cared for Ari. A lot.

With that thought in mind, she marched out of the bathroom and into Quinn’s bedroom. He waited in bed, but to her surprise, he’d turned off the overhead lights, leaving one small lamp on, more for mood than vision, while music played softly in the background.

“Only a confident man would play the Lion King soundtrack at a time like this.”

“And only a confident woman would model an outfit like that.” He eased himself up against the pillows. The white sheet fell to his waist, revealing his muscled chest and the dark sprinkling of hair that tapered down low on his abdomen, sexy and inviting.

“It’s not as easy as you might think.” She forced a laugh as she crossed the carpeted room. His words registered and she forgot all about feeling self-conscious. “What do you mean, modeling the outfit?”

He patted the mattress and she lowered herself beside him, close enough to see his eyes dilate with a now familiar need. “Do you really think you’re going to have this thing on long enough to consider it any more than a quick modeling opportunity?” He slid one fingertip beneath a single, thin strap. Teasing her, he edged it down her shoulder until it dangled there, evidence of just how easily he could divest her of this expensive but flimsy outfit.

As he maneuvered closer, his thick erection brushed against her thigh and her insides curled in delicious anticipation. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me how long I’m going to be wearing it?” she asked in an attempt to push him to the edge.

“You’re playing with fire,” he warned her, his voice low and barely controlled.

“I’ll take my chances.” Because she wanted to see him lose control.

His unabashed desire dispelled her worries and allowed her to experiment with the ultimate power her femininity provided. Quinn did that for her. He allowed her to revel in her abilities to affect him and toss any cover or facade out the window. He saw the real woman.

He’d taught her to begin to see Ari again and to embrace her. From his smile and pleased expression, he obviously knew it, but he didn’t know what else she had in store for him.

She let her fingertips trail along his skin, taking a direct path to the sheet hovering so temptingly over his stomach. She watched in fascination as the sheet moved, his response to her teasing touch obvious. “Should I put you out of your misery?” she murmured.

He let out a strained laugh. “Either take me out back and shoot me or have your wicked way with me.” He lifted his arms above his head, sank backward into the pillows, and gave her complete, unfettered access to his body.

Talk about trust, she thought, and sucked in a shallow breath, concentrating on Quinn and nothing else. She pulled the covers off him, revealing his naked body for viewing.

He was a pure hard, erect male, yet when she wrapped her hand around his straining shaft, embracing his length and learning every rigid inch of him, she was mesmerized by the silken softness beneath her fingertips. And when her thumb came in contact with moisture, blocking out emotion and feeling was no longer possible. Not when faced with the very essence of Quinn.

He’d given her so much, she wanted to give back. That decision came easily and she lowered her head, taking him into her mouth. She ran her tongue down his shaft and he let out a groan that reverberated through her. A swell of desire took hold as she worked him, both with her lips and her hands.

His hips bucked, his body trembled, and suddenly he pulled her upward, flipping her onto her back and coming over her in one deft movement.

Her breath left her body in a hard whoosh of air. “Pretty slick move,” she managed to say.

A slight grin tipped up his lips. “I’ve been trained to respond in any situation. And I wanted this to last a lot longer than it would have if you’d continued-” He cut his words off as he sealed his mouth over hers.

He thrust in his tongue hard, mimicking the action with his hips, his erection tempting against her mound. Moisture slickened between her legs and a distinct heaviness pounded there, too, while above her, Quinn’s body rubbed insistently between her thighs and a low groan rumbled from deep in his throat.

She shut her eyes, reveling in the knowledge that she’d sent him over the edge, pushing him to take control. And he did. With one easy yank of his hand, he snapped the flimsy strap of her teddy and pushed it down over her breasts, hips, and thighs until she kicked the garment aside. Cool air rushed over her and her nipples puckered harder. She lay naked beneath him, her skin becoming even more sensitized as awareness and anticipation took hold.

His gaze never leaving hers, he hooked one foot around her ankle and spread her legs wide so she opened before him, vulnerable and ready. Yet there was no one she trusted more than Quinn, with both her body and her mind. And it was her heart, which beat hard in her chest, that she refused to take into the equation.

“You feel it, don’t you?” Quinn asked, taking her off guard.

“Feel what?” She was afraid he’d been able to read her mind. Afraid he would ask her things she wasn’t ready to face just yet.

He brushed her hair off her forehead with a too gentle touch and a lump rose in her throat. Instead of answering, he lowered his head for a soul-searching kiss that culminated with him entering her in a long, deep motion. He filled her in so many ways and she wanted more.

Bending her legs, she took him deeper, as far as he could reach inside her body. And when he moved, he took his time, sliding in and out, starting slow so she felt every hard, solid inch as her body molded and joined with his. Then just as she began to build toward climax, he started to pump inside her faster, accommodating her need and taking her upward on a high, spiraling ride.

One she never wanted to end.

Quinn realized he hadn’t used protection at the same time he accepted that he loved Ari. He was still buried deep inside her body, his breath coming in shallow gulps and his weight pinning her to the mattress. Rolling off her was the last thing he wanted to do, but he forced himself to move. No matter how happy his body was, his mind screamed he needed distance.

He was in love? He nearly snorted aloud. He had finally opened his heart, and who did he choose but a woman who picked up and left the people she cared about too damn easily. Just like the other people in his past.

“I’ll be right back.” Quinn pushed himself to the edge of the bed.

“Don’t be long,” she murmured, her fingers trailing over his back.

“Oh hell.” He could search for some walls to erect to protect himself from her later. Right now he wanted to be with Ari again, he thought, and rolled back into her arms.

An hour later, they were sharing Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in bed. Dozer lay on the edge of the mattress snoring and Ari was trying to decide what to do with her winnings.

She licked the spoon, her tongue lapping over the cool steel just as she’d taken him into her mouth earlier. He nearly groaned aloud at the memory.

“I could put the money in savings,” she said, bringing him back to reality. “Or I could see if my parents need help with the spa.”

As much as he loved her generous spirit, he wished she’d put herself first for a change. “Would it kill you to splurge a little? Treat yourself to something and put the rest away for a rainy day.”

She nodded. “Maybe that’s not a bad idea.”

He persevered. “What would you spend it on? If you could buy anything you wanted, what would you pick?”

She laughed but he heard an almost desperate longing in the sound. “I couldn’t afford my fantasies. Not even with my winnings.”

“Let’s hear it.” He pushed himself up against the pillows and rested on one side. “Come on, spill your vices.” He reached over and twirled her hair around his finger.

He wanted to know what secrets lurked in her heart. What yearnings she refused to admit aloud.

“It’s nothing I can buy. It’s just a sense of something that I’m looking for.” She closed her eyes and curled into his arms. “I love this house. It’s so cozy and warm.”

“Same feelings I had the first time I saw it. I bought it at auction and did the renovations myself,” he said, unable to disguise the pride in his voice. “This house was the one thing I splurged on.” Ironic that when he asked Ari what she’d do with her money, her wishes were much the same as his.

Obviously she needed a place to belong as much as he had.

Just as obviously they needed each other.

“You made a good choice. It’s on the beach and you can hear the surf,” she said softly. “I feel good here.”

Quinn buried his face in her hair. “You do feel good here.” She also felt right here, in his house, among his things, and in his arms.

He knew better than to trust it would last. She was drowsy and her defenses were down. No doubt she’d feel differently very soon. When she learned the truth about her sister, when he’d finished wrapping up Sam’s foster-care situation and the teenager was settled and Ari no longer worried about where Sam would end up. Then she’d have to decide who she was-Professor Ariana Costas or his Ari.

Quinn shuddered to imagine which one she’d choose. And he could think of only one thing that might help her decide. “Ari? Are you up to taking a ride?”

She rolled her head to the side and met his gaze, suddenly more awake-and more wary than before. “A ride? Now? To where?”

“To see your sister.”

• • •

Still trembling inside at the thought of seeing her twin, Ari walked into the garage. She waited as Quinn held open the door to his truck. Once she was settled, he slammed it closed behind her before getting in on the driver’s side.

He glanced her way, questions in his eyes. “Are you okay?” He placed a hand on her thigh.

His touch was reassuring, but she fidgeted in her seat anyway. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“I understand, and I’m sure you’re going to be even more speechless as the night goes on. But Ari…”

She shivered at the sound of her name on his lips. She liked the familiarity and the intimacy it evoked, especially after the time they’d just shared. And especially now when she needed his support. “Yes?” she asked, swallowing hard.

“I’m breaking every rule I’ve ever lived by tonight.” He cut off his own words with the sound of the engine turning over as he started the truck.

Her heart beat harder in her chest. Why was he breaking those all-important rules? Why do it for her? And why now? But she was too afraid to ask, more afraid of the answers.

Before putting the gearshift in drive, he reached back into a bag he’d already tossed inside. “I need you to put this on.” He held out a dark scarf in front of her. “Blindfold yourself,” he instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument.

She accepted the black garment with shaking hands. “It’s already dark out.”

“You need to trust me. I can’t let you see where we’re going. It’s for your safety as well as your sister’s.”

Swallowing hard, she nodded, then folded the scarf and tied it around her eyes, sealing out what little light there’d been. “Where is she? In general?”

“A safe house,” he said, just as the sensation of sudden movement took her off guard.

They were on their way. Knowing not to question him further, she remained silent as excitement and anticipation took hold. As if he understood, Quinn’s hand returned to rest on her thigh, the sensitive spot just above her knee. Through her jeans, his touch branded her skin, and his palm remained there for the rest of the long, quiet ride to see her sister.

• • •

“Man, are you gonna get your ass kicked for bringing her here.” Marco, the head of security at the safe house, gestured toward Ari, then took great pleasure in informing Quinn of his conclusion.